Recent Happenings

I feel the need to catch up on life.  This will probably be long and rambling, so I don't know if anyone will make it through to the end, but here it goes...

My blog has been completely neglected, as well as many other things around here lately.  I was doing so well on catching up but life has gotten crazy as it sometimes does.  We have had some very life changing events in the past couple months related to Darren's work.  Things I never imagined having to deal with.  It is a long story, and one that I don't really want to post on the world wide web, but we are now in the process of purchasing the practice as Darren's business partner has passed away.  There was a lot leading up to that, but I won't go into it.  It is a very sad situation and I feel terrible for those involved.  Especially his family. It caused a lot of stress on our family and left us with a lot of questions and pretty hurt as well. I think over the course of a couple weeks, I felt just about every emotion.  I felt sad for the situation and his family, excited for us and the possiblity of having our own practice, stressed over what was going to happen and overwhelmed with everything going on and at times, I felt so alone.  It also threw our schedule into total chaos.  Things at the office changed from one day to the next, so Darren's 6 hour schedule suddenly became a 12 or 13 hour schedule in order to cover all the patients.  It was a big change!  Things are starting to settle back down and he is going to 8 or 9 hour days now.  It is still a lot different to not have him around as much and to change a lot of the way we do things.  For instance, I used to do all my volunteering at the school on his mornings off and now I'm having to scramble to find people to help with my kids and things like that.  I realize most dads work that many hours, but we just are not used to it yet and the kids are having a hard time with it.  (And I am, too)  We are excited for the opportunity though.  I think in the long run, this will be a really great thing for us.  It is just very sad that it happened the way that it did.

It is also tax season.  I hate that.  I do the books for Darren's office, but I don't keep up on it very well during the year so I end up with lots of work to get things finished up for the CPA.  I just got the file emailed today.  I feel so much better!  It means that I don't have as much time for blogging or anything else. 

I also have a new calling.  I am the Stake Women's Sports Specialist.  Or something like that.  I am not sure what the official title is.  I really like it.  It just means that I have to be at the church once a week at night to run things, even when I have other stuff to do.  It has cut into my blog time, too.  But I am having fun with it and it is a pretty perfect calling for me, although I don't really feel like I know what I am doing yet. 

And, winter is turning into spring!  Well...it started to and then it snowed...  I hate that part of Utah spring!  We seem to get MUCH busier in the Spring and it has already started.  Rylee has started figure skating.  She really likes it.  At least she did the 2nd time she went.  The first time was pretty rough.  Hopefully, it keeps getting better.  Avery is taking dance and has a recital this week.  I'm excited to see if she will actually perform on the big stage.  She is pretty excited about it though.  She has 2 rehersals and 2 performances this week!  BUSY!  And soccer starts up for Logan next week. 

It is also birthday season at our house.  Rylee lost her first tooth and turned SIX the last week of March.  She had a Hello Kitty Extravaganza party and spent the day shopping at the mall.  We even had our pictures taken in one of those photo booths and she picked out best friend necklaces for us.  I felt like I was back in Jr. High.  When she picked them, I asked who she planned to give it to and she said, "you, of course."  I wanted to bawl my eyes out!  Of course I bought it after that.  I hope that she will want to wear best friend necklaces with me when she is 16.  But chances are, she won't.  So I'm enjoying it now!  She loved her day at the mall and shopping and having her nails done - She is such a girly-girl!  And she LOVES her birthday party and loves helping me plan and has such high expectations for them!  Her Hello Kitty party was great and she loved all the decorations and everything. 

After her birthday, it was Easter, which was so fun but lots of traveling to family events and super busy.  We had a really great time though and the kids looked so cute in their outfits.  The following week was Spring Break and we took a quick trip to St George.  We had a great time enjoying the warm weather and hanging out at Grandma and Grandpa Webber's brand new home down there and spent some time hiking and hanging out with Brian and Val and their family.  It was a good trip and we were able to see some friends, too.  And have some delicious sugar cookies and Dirty Diet Coke from Swig's.  That was a highlight for sure. 

We came home from our fun Spring Break, and I turned 32 yesterday.  I think.  I kept telling people I was turning 33 and I had to be corrected.  I don't think it matters once you are 30.  Everything just kind of blends together.  I had a fabulous day and was spoiled by my family.  I love them.  The kids were so excited for my day and it made my heart feel good.  And my phone buzzed all day with Facebook notifications and texts and it just put a smile on my face.  It feels good to be remembered sometimes.  I guess Facebook is good for that.  Darren treated me to breakfast in bed from Kneeder's (Chunky French Toast...YUMMM!!!) and then surprised me and got a babysitter and took me to lunch at Paradise Bakery.  I went in to Rylee's class to volunteer and her cute class sang to me.  It was so sweet!  Darren took the kids out shopping for me and we had dinner at Cafe Sabor and then had cake.  The kids got me some lotion and lip gloss and sunglasses and Darren got me a bike and a bike trailer/jogging stroller!  I am excited to try it out.  Except that it SNOWED yesterday!  All that warm St George weather and then...snow!  No fun!  I love birthdays.  I love my kids' birthdays and mine.  There is just something so great about having a day for you.  It makes you realize how blessed you are.  And I am so blessed.  Really.  I have everything I need and I have the greatest family.  I love them. 

I felt like this rambling post needed a picture.  So, now you can see how blessed I am.  And, how cute my kids looked in their Easter outfits. 

Up next...  Darren and I are taking a trip with no kids.  I am a bit nervous, but also excited!  We haven't done that for a LONG time.  I'm just worried about leaving my Bronson.  I hope it will be OK.  I stress over that stuff so much!  And then when we get back, Bronson will turn ONE!  My baby!!!  I am freaking out a little over that, too.  Time goes much too quickly! 

Excuses, Excuses...

So, my blog has been very neglected yet again.  And just when I was starting to make some progress.  This is for a lot of reasons.  And I think they are actually pretty valid excuses this time.  We went to the Happiest Place on Earth last month.  It was FABULOUS!  We left the day after Thanksgiving and we had SO much fun!  It was our favorite trip there ever.  And we have been a lot!  The only thing that made it less than perfect was some rain, but that did help with the crowds and lines.  But, Christmas time there was just so different and felt even more magical than usual, if that is even possible.  We loved it!  And Cars Land was totally amazing!  I could have spent our entire trip just there.  So fun!  It was like being in the movie!

So, that is my big excuse.  The weeks before the trip were busy making autograph books and matching shirts because I am weird like that and sneaking around to pack because it was a surprise.  I even stayed up ALL night the night before we left making last minute preparations and finishing up some special surprises for the LONG car ride.  I think it was worth it.  Last time we surprised them with a Disney trip there were tears, but this time was much happier. No tears - only cheering!  Yay!

We have been back for just over a week and I can't seem to find time to get anything done.  I am still trying to find time to finish up the last of the unpacking and the mountains of laundry and then there is a little thing called CHRISTMAS coming up and it is just keeping me busy.  I still haven't made cards and I didn't have all my stuff up when we got home and there are activities and parties to go to.  Oh, and a teething baby that NEVER wants to be put down.  So, those are my excuses.  Maybe they aren't that good.  But, someday I hope to get this darn blog caught up!  Someday....

For now, here is a picture of our trip.  I took over 1000 so I will hopefully post more someday.  Although while going through some things, I discovered I never even posted our Disney trip from LAST year!  I am SO bad at this...

 I miss this place! 

Bronson's Blessing Day

June 24th - We blessed our sweet Bronson.  It was hard to schedule with all the family stuff we had going on, but we really wanted to bless him while Curt and Carla were here from Texas so that they could be part of it.  Darren's brother, Kevin, was on his honeymoon at the beginning of June, and we thought his other brother, Matt, was going to bless his baby the next week and with Father's Day the week before this ended up being the only week we could do it.  It wasn't a Fast Sunday and since our church is at 9:00 and most of our family has to drive a couple hours, we had the blessing at our house.  It is kind of nice that way.  It is just family and something special to celebrate in a more intimate way.  But, there are hard things.  I felt like with getting everything ready and doing so much there was a LOT of stress, especially with so many people packed into our house.  And with so many little kids there were a lot of distractions during the blessing.  So, I guess there are pros and cons.  But, it was a special day and we felt so lucky to have all of our family there for it, (except Uncle Jeff who is on a mission) which is hard to do with as many brothers and sisters as we have!  We are so blessed to have our little Bronson.  He is such a calm and special little spirit.  He is always happy and so sweet and we love having him in our home and in our family.  

I tortured the kids with a few pictures before the blessing.  Somehow Bronson slept through it all.  I knew once all the cousins were there, I would never get them back together and I was right! 

Someone always has to pull a face... 

Or pick their nose!  

Our cute family!  I love these guys!!! 

Bronson with Mom and Dad

A few pictures of Bronson in his blessing outfit.  He looked so handsome!  I wanted more pictures of him awake but it got so crazy and I meant to take some later that day or the next day, but it never happened.  He looks so sweet and peaceful sleeping!  And my Grandma Mary made this white blanket that is behind Bronson.  I used it for one of the girls' blessings, too.

Baby shoes

Daddy and Bronson right before the blessing.  Our Bishop came and we had the blessing right after he got there.  Darren said he felt a little rushed and Bronson did cry during part of the blessing and there were a lot of distractions.  But, Darren gave Bronson a great blessing.  My sister was so great and wrote it down for me.  I am so glad she can do this for me so I can have it for Bronson.  I am so lucky that Darren is worthy to have the Priesthood and able to perform these blessings for our family.  Here is what she got written down.  I think it is a little bit of a condensed version. 

Our Dear Heavenly Father,
In the name of Jesus Christ and by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood we come before thee to give this child a name and a blessing.  The name which we give him is Bronson Chad Webber.

Bronson, we bless you will, as you grow and advance, that you will understand the love that surrounds you, not just in your immediate family, but in all your family and friends.

We bless you as you go through struggles in your life that you will know where to turn for support and love.

We bless you that you will keep your calm temperament throughout your life.  That you can continue to be peaceful and bring joy to those around you.

We bless you that you will continue to grow and be strong, and that as you continue to grow and develop that you will grown and develop in your testimony as well.

We bless you that you can be strong and courageous as you face life.  

Here is everyone who stood in the circle for the blessing.  From Left to Right:  Uncle Matt, Uncle Brian, Uncle Curt (in the back), Daddy and Bronson, Uncle Cory, Uncle Chris, Uncle Kevin, Bishop Gatherum, Grandpa Boman, Grandpa Bill, Uncle Dean and Uncle Jay.  Such a lucky boy to have so many people who love him and so many good examples to follow!

Bronson and Mommy - I have so many emotions every time we bless one of our babies.  I don't know that anything brings you closer to Heavenly Father than to bring a child into the world.  You truly realize the partnership that you have with him in raising these precious little ones.  And even though Bronson is my FOURTH baby, I still feel so overwhelmed by the calling of mother and amazed at how much you can LOVE these special spirits.  I hope that Bronson will realize how much he is loved.  By his earthly family and by his Father in Heaven.  I hope he will learn what it means to be a Child of God.  I hope that he will develop a strong testimony and love of the gospel.  I hope that he will love and serve others.  I hope that he will desire to serve a mission and be married in the temple and have his own family.  Mostly, I just hope that he will be HAPPY! 

Bronson and Daddy

Starting to get sad

Bronson and Grandpa and Grandma Boman

 Bronson with Grandma Pat and Grandpa Bill

Bronson with his namesake, Uncle Brian.  His middle name is Chad, which is Uncle Brian's middle name. Brian has always been a special older brother to Darren.  He even baptized him!  He is someone that we felt Bronson could look up to. 

Bronson and Great-Grandma Pauline

Bronson and Great-Grandma Mary

After the blessing was over, then it was time to EAT!  We do that really well in this family!  We had a great time eating and hanging out together.  We are really lucky to have such good families who support us and it is nice when we get together that everyone seems to get along really well.  Since we each of SEVEN siblings, these gatherings are not small ones...  Here are Cory, Katie, Kim and Chris

Dishing up... 

Uncle Jay and Robin

Uncle Brad and the French foreign exchange student, Cyril,  who was staying with Grandma and Grandpa Boman.  It was a little awkward having him there.  He likes to shake hands REALLY close!  He also shared some French candy that was really gross! 

Aunt Mandy and baby Bridger

Aunt Heather, Grandma Boman, Grandma Pat and Uncle Matt

Little Mr Bronson

Playing with cousin Madi - She always wants to hold the babies. 

Kisses from Avery - This girl can not leave her brother alone!  She is mostly really sweet with him but sometimes she gets carried away! 

Mom, Aunt Heather and Gradma Boman

Cute little Robin

Avery "helping" with Bronson

Not sure if this is a hug or a choke hold... 

Our sweet baby boy! 

Logan stole some one's electronic device... 

Yep...it was Uncle Dean's.  He is always the biggest sucker! 

Both of my grandmas.  They are so great to come and support us in everything we do.  My kids are so lucky! 

This is how most family functions go.  Everyone on their phones or ipad.  Drives. me. CRAZY!

The cute newlyweds - Kevin and Laurie

Just family hanging out... 

Avery now "helping" with cousin Robin.  She LOVES babies.  Maybe a little too much! 

Cousins playing on the playground

Just a few pictures of the crowd... 

Bronson with Aunt Laura and Uncle Dean.  We are trying to encourage them to hold babies as much as possible :)

Cousin Lauren was really excited to hold Bronson! 

After the blessing and food, we switched gears a little.  We had a double header that day and also celebrated Logan's 7th birthday.  I really hate combining things like that, but it just made more sense.  More to come on the birthday celebration...